Monday, July 30, 2007

Sunday, July 29, 2007

I had posted this excellent recipe on my Food Blog recently and I thought that I would post it on this blog tonight for some who might not read my Food Blog. This is a fresh batch of the Lemonade Date Scones right out of the oven this afternoon, minus a couple which I just had to have with my coffee. This is wonderful family recipe from my husband's Mum for her Lemonade Date Scones which I could not resist sharing. This has been a long time favorite recipe in the family and one of the first batch of yummies that my husband baked for me when I first moved down here to New Zealand. I have been eating them ever since.

Mix all ingredients well in large mixing bowl. Then knead the dough mixture on a floured board or surface, adding flour if needed until a nice dough forms. Place a sheet of baking paper on a large cookie tray or pan. This works the best we have found and prevents sticking to the pan. Place the puffy somewhat flattened dough out onto the pan and cut your slices into the dough.Bake at above temperature for 10-15 minutes until the scones are lightly browned on top.Makes approximately 24 scones depending on the size you would like.Serve with honey or your favorite jam!

Friday, July 27, 2007

Although I hail from Long Island, New York, I have made my home in Titahi Bay, New Zealand, where I reside with my wonderful husband who is a Kiwi bloke himself having lived in New Zealand all of his life. A Kiwi is also the national bird of New Zealand. Titahi Bay is a lovely seaside town in the suburb of Porirua in the North Island of New Zealand by the Tasman Sea. My husband captured this photo last weekend as we set out for the hills overlooking the Bay and the Sea to take some photos of our area to send home to the family back in America. This is the Bay itself and our local beach and it is quite pretty, especially when you are viewing it at a high distance. It was not a perfectly clear day, but it should give you and idea of what our surrounding area looks like. Porirua itself is a suburb of Wellington which is the capital of New Zealand. It is a city that seems to always be expanding with new megacenters and shops. I will endeavor to get some photos of the area when we have some finer weather. Wellington being the capital of New Zealand is alive and rich with culture. It so much reminds me of a mini New York City, so I feel quite at home when I have to dash into the city for something. My favorite restaurant in New Zealand is in Wellington..... The Flying Burrito Brothers, a fantastic, vibrant and colorful place to eat with the best Mexican food ever.

From time to time I will post tidbits about this great city where I live now, and do click into the links I have provided for more detailed information.

I've learned.... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows.I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, "You've made my day!" makes my day.I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned.... That you should never say no to a gift from a child.I've learned.... That I can always pray for someone when I don'thave the strength to help him in some other way.I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.I've learned.... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.I've learned.... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.I've learned.... That we should be glad God doesn't give use everything we ask for.I've learned.... That money doesn't buy class.I've learned.... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.I've learned.... That the Lord didn't do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.I've learned.... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.I've learned.... That love, not time, heals all wounds.I've learned.... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.I've learned.... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.I've learned.... That there's nothing sweeter than sleeping with your babies and feeling their breath on your cheeks.I've learned.... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.I've learned.... That life is tough, but I'm tougher.I've learned.... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.I've learned.... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.I've learned.... That I wish I could have told my Dad that I love him one more time before he passed away.I've learned.... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.I've learned.... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.I've learned.... That I can't choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.I've learned.... That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.I've learned.... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain,but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.I've learned ... That it is best to give advice in only two circumstances;when it is requested and when it is a life threatening situation.I've learned.... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Oscar is no ordinary kitty. As a matter of fact he has some very extraordinary powers. His possession of these highly unusual qualities might or might not be a good thing to some, but his ability to forsee an oncoming death of terminally ill patients may be a blessing in disguise to a patient's family. Read the latest about Oscar at his residence at a Nursing Home in Providence Rhode Island. Animals have always amazed me with their sometimes uncanny abilities, but dear little Oscar is probably one of a kind and has already made his 5 minutes of fame in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Friday, July 20, 2007

Now I know many of you are suffering from the major sweltering heat up in North America, and right now considering what we are experiencing here in the very cold extremes of winter in New Zealand I would happily trade places with you.....or perhaps we could do a trade of the variations in temperature. Wish that were a possibility for sure, but nonetheless I have a terrible chest infection and I'm due for some quick Jewish penicillin as they say (Chicken Soup)! I have a wonderful recipe to share today for Chicken Soup...a nice easy recipe that you can have ready in no time. I find heaps of wonderful recipes on the Internet and this one I have tried quite some time ago and it was wonderful, so I thought I would share it for those experiencing bad colds or the flu. Chicken Soup truly seems to do the trick in cold weather...and it is no wonder there are so many good Jewish Doctors. They really seem to have the know how when it comes to treating a bad cold and the flu. I am going to make some myself over the weekend. I found this recipe at:

Put the cut-up chicken into a stockpot (or other large, heavy pot). Cover with COLD water.Cut the celery into pieces and add to the pot along with the onion, peppercorns and parsley sprigs. Bring to a boil.Reduce heat and skim the foam which has accumulated from the top. Half cover the pot and simmer for 90 minutes. Cool slightly.Remove the chicken and strain the broth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Remove the chicken meat from the bones and chop.Add as much of the chopped chicken to the broth as you wish. Set the remaining chicken aside for other uses of your choice.Stir in the vermicelli and simmer for 15 minutes. Beat the eggs with the lemon juice. Add a little of the hot soup and stir.Pour the egg mixture into the stockpot. Mix well and heat.Serve garnished with chopped parsley and slivered carrot.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Now I am a dog lover from the get-go and I sure would adore having this precious pup. This cute male long-coated chihuahua named

"Heart-Kun" was born with a heart-shaped pattern on his coat. This precious chihuahua was born on May 18, 2007 as one of a litter. The shop owner Emiko Sakurada said that this is the first time a puppy with these marks has been born out of a 1,000 that she has bred. She also said that she has no plans to sell the puppy. This little pup would sure be a good luck charm for anyone who owned him.